A devoted entrepreneur and advocate, Linda Fostek has excelled as the founder of The Crisis Planner, a disaster planning system that helps individuals get off the “worry-go-round” when faced with life’s unexpected happenings. Established in 2014, the mission of the one-stop shop is to gather different resources in one convenient location and to empower people with peace of mind in the face of life’s disasters. Additionally, The Crisis Planner will help people develop fail-safes for their loved ones to help their families avoid chaos and surprises after their passing or any disaster life or mother nature delivers.
Through her work with The Crisis Planner, Ms. Fostek is able to pay tribute to her father’s legacy. Before his passing in 2012, her father, a former engineer, developed a home operations manual that would help others in the wake of losing a loved one. Through her books “And Now What,” a planning guide and survivor’s checklist; “Shit Happens,” a planning guide for life’s personal and natural disasters; and “The Crisis Planner HOME System,” a complete system for home operation, Ms. Fostek helps others address key questions, including where to find important papers, how to pay bills and run a household in the aftermath of losing a loved one, something that she experienced firsthand with the loss of her husband and her father.
Alongside her primary work, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Fostek launched a new entrepreneurial endeavor called The Science Labs. The Science Labs is a learning system and series of books for children aged 4 to 7 that teaches them to use their imagination and curiosity to become empowered to find solutions rather than default to helplessness. Ms. Fostek is an active member of Suffolk County CERT, a community emergency response team, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, providing community support and assistance during times of disaster.
Prior to her current positions, Ms. Fostek gained valuable expertise in sales and business as a senior sales representative and trainer with Galderma from 1989 to 2012. She was also an account executive with ADB Sales from 1986 to 1988 and Boyle Midway from 1980 to 1986. While her career has been filled with standout moments, Ms. Fostek is most proud of hosting her own weekly TV show, being a monthly featured contributor to Positive Tribe magazine, and being invited to speak at the Women Economic Forum in India in front of 500 women from all over the world.
In light of her professional excellence, Ms. Fostek was honored in Who’s Who Visionaries, Who’s Who in Long Island Business and the New York Power Women in Business. In addition, she was the recipient of the Networker of the Year Award in 2017 and was honored as a Woman of Distinction, given by her New York state assemblyman in 2022. She was also fourth runner-up for Ms. New York Senior America in 2022. Reflecting upon her years of professional success, Ms. Fostek attributes her good fortune to persistence, creativity and optimism, along with always working from the heart.
Before embarking on her professional journey, Ms. Fostek earned a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from the State University of New York at Potsdam in 1973. Over the years, she furthered her field knowledge, becoming certified as a professional speaker and trainer of “The One Philosophy” through the Women’s Prosperity Network. She also became a certified life coach and a trainer in 2020.
To remain aware of ongoing changes in the field, Ms. Fostek maintains professional alignments with Rockstar Marketing Mastermind, the Orion Senior Resource Group, CEO Space, 516/631 Ads, the Brand Builders Club, Awakening Giants for Positive Transformation, PULSE, SCWEBC and Lead Her Up. She currently serves as a board member of the National Aging in Place Council and is a lifetime member and past chapter leader of the Women’s Prosperity Network. Outside of her primary responsibilities, Ms. Fostek has contributed to those less fortunate as an ambassador for Nourish the Children from 2011 to 2014, a supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association, NCAN, and Angela’s House, and a volunteer for various disaster and humanitarian relief matters.
Looking toward the future, Ms. Fostek intends to travel in her motor home with her golden retriever Duffy and speak all over the United States. She hopes to share her vision of a worry-free world for as long as possible. Likewise, she has plans to continue writing and bringing a positive message to the world, guiding others to unwrap the gifts that live within them for a positive impact on their lives and the lives of others. A distinguished Marquis listee, Ms. Fostek presently resides in East Northport, New York. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, writing poetry, scuba diving, cooking and baking.